Self-Care Trailblazer Group

Our partners at White Ribbon Alliance, Nigeria recently launched their Voices of Self-Care Podcast. In the latest episode, they speak to Lawrence Anyanwu, Former Director and Head, Reproductive Health Division, Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare on what it really takes to move self-care from policy to practice, Listen to the full episode: https://bit.ly/41nwgSB

In partnership with the Ministry of Health’s Division of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MOH-DRMNH), RHNK participated in the Self-Care Trailblazer Group Quarterly Meeting. The meeting served as a platform to review progress made in self-care over the past year, identify key areas for collaboration in 2025, and orient members to the newly developed self-care measurement framework, with technical support from the Self-Care Trailblazers Group (SCCTG). A significant part of the discussions focused on the self-care measurement framework and global indicators, which provide a standardized approach for reporting and allow for cross-country comparisons. Participants reviewed and validated Kenya’s self-care milestones and indicators, ensuring they align with national priorities. Several key recommendations emerged; The need to incorporate all cadres of healthcare providers in self-care implementation was highlighted. Additionally, the importance of establishing a clear mechanism for tracking self-care uptake, as well as the necessity of ensuring that self-care guidelines inform the selection of indicators for monitoring and reporting was emphasized. As a way forward, there will be efforts to prioritize self-care within maternal health, family planning, HIV/STIs, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) related to reproductive health. Additionally, national priorities and indicators will be aligned with global self-care frameworks. #RHNKImpact #RHNK4SRHR

As part of Kenya's Self-Care Core Group (SCCG) initiatives, on January 28th, 2025, the Kenyan Ministry of Health conducted a self-care dissemination session through the Midwives Association of Kenya platform, targeting healthcare providers across the country. The session was aimed at creating awareness about self-care as an important component of Kenya’s healthcare system while offering healthcare professionals an opportunity to earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD). You can access a recording of the webinar here: https://bit.ly/41iBd0c

Last month, the SCTG team led by Project Director Sarah Onyango and Senior Technical Advisor GEORGE KAPIYO, MPH joined members of the Ethiopian Society of Obstetrics and Gynecologists for a visit to the Ethiopian Ministry of Health. Discussions with the Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health team focused on strengthening and expanding self-care implementation, in order to grow the gains Ethiopia has already achieved. We want to thank ESOG, the members of the RMNCAYH National Self-Care Network, and the Ethiopian MOH for their continued partnership and advocacy.

We kicked off the year with a meeting of the Ethiopia National Self-Care Network, which convened teams from Self-care Trailblazer Group (SCTG), PSI Ethiopia, the Ethiopia Society of Obstetrics and Gynecologists and self-care stakeholders from various regions to review the progress made with self-care initiatives currently in place. Highlights from the discussion included leadership and governance for self-care, updates on DMPA SC injection, and progress on both advocacy and service delivery, among other topics.

Last December, our partners at PATH and the Senegal Ministry of Health worked to finalize and validate their 2024-2028 Self-Care Strategic Plan. The Self-Care Strategic Plan builds on the guidelines established in 2022, and is a critical building block in the implementation and expansion of self-care practices in Senegal.

We are excited to share that our partners at Reproductive Health Network Kenya and Ministry of Health, Kenya will host the 8th Pan-African AYSRHR Scientific Conference this summer. This annual event unites government, civil society, academia, and private sector leaders to advance access to SRHR services. This year’s theme, “Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights in a World of Emerging Threats and Opportunities,” sets the stage for innovative approaches that empower adolescents and youth to take charge of their sexual and reproductive health, even in the face of evolving challenges. To learn more about the conference and register, visit: RHNK - REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH NETWORK KENYA

In October 2024, Ministry of Health - Uganda launched Uganda's National Guidelines for Self-Care Interventions for Health and Wellbeing, informed by the work of the Self-Care Expert Group convened by CEHURD Uganda To learn more about the work of the SCEG and their process for developing, testing and launching the guidelines, check out our latest blog post: https://bit.ly/3WuxaL7 Population Services International Uganda, CEHURD Uganda, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), USAID, Makerere University School of Public Health, FHI 360, Samasha Medical Foundation, Living Goods, Marie Stopes Uganda, Reproductive Health Uganda, Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc., Mildmay Uganda, Reach A Hand Uganda, Public Health Ambassadors Uganda-PHAU, International Rescue Committee, Tekere Girlchild Empowerment (TEGEM), ERIC CANCER INITIATIVE LIMITED, Uganda Youth Alliance for Family Planning and Adolescent Health

From mental health, to maternal health, #SelfCare is cross-cutting across various health areas and vital to achieving UHC. Visit the SCTG blog for a roundup of self-care resources from our partners across the healthcare landscape: https://bit.ly/3OZzeH9

?? Empowering Self-Care through Policy: Self-care is not just an individual responsibility—it's a cornerstone for UHC. By addressing policy gaps, improving health literacy, and supporting implementation, we can unlock its full potential. Let's work towards a future where self-care strengthens health systems for everyone. Featuring interviews from members of the SCTG, this new whitepaper from our partners Bayer | Consumer Health, Global Self-Care Federation and Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) highlights the potential of self-care in strengthening UHC: https://bit.ly/4iLv1o7 #HealthEquity #PolicyChange #SelfCareForAll